The “get out” order came in April, and the owners of the shops promptly applied to the Provincial Court for protection, which was granted.
The owners of the three shops – a gift shop, a gem shop and a cashew nut shop – say they were among the very first to open at the airport, decades ago. However, when the AoT wanted to set up a VAT refund centre for tourists, they were asked to move to another location within the airport. They complied.
The AoT then allowed six more shops to open in the same area. In April, however, all nine were told to close and move out because the area had become “too crowded”.
Today five representatives of the shops’ came to the Damrongdharm Centre to lodge a complaint. However, they were told by Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak, because the matter is already in the court, the centre can take no action.
The five, who included Thumawat “Ood” Wongcharoenyot and Saen “Boem” Charoenchit – already under pressure after having been named as “influential” by the Director of the Department of Special Investigation, Tharit Pengdith (whom they are suing for defamation) – said that they just wanted to ensure that the provincial authorities are aware of the problem.
V/Gov Somkiet has already been detailed by Governor Maitree Intusut to attend tomorrow’s meeting.
The shop-owners said they had gone to the court for no reason other than to be allowed to continue doing business as they had for decades.
Later, Mr Thumawat said that he and the others had a meeting on August 22 with senior officials from the Ministry of Transport. After the meeting, retired Army Col Winai Sompong – former Minister of Transport and known as “The Ruler” for his reputation for honesty – agreed to attend tomorrow’s meeting with AoT representatives as referee.
“We are willing to withdraw our court case if we are allowed to go on conducting our businesses at the airport,” Mr Thumawat added.
The real reason for AoT trying to get rid of the shops is not clear.